Rotary Optical Element Mount for Faster Ophthalmic Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional translational movement mechanisms for optical elements in multi-modality ophthalmic imaging systems occupy significant space, require high torque, and are slow, limiting modality switching speed due to rotation-translation conversion and gravity-induced slippage.
Innovation Solution
A rotational movement mechanism using electric motors to rotate optical elements into and out of optical paths, eliminating the need for rotation-translation conversion and reducing torque requirements by distributing mass and aligning axes with gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional translational movement mechanisms (rack and pinion, screw actuator, or crank) are used to move optical elements into and out of the optical path, then the optical elements can be positioned accurately, but the mechanism occupies significant volume and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rotation-translation conversion mechanism (rack and pinion, screw actuator, or crank) from the system. The optical element mount is allowed to rotate directly about a vertical axis without any conversion mechanism, thereby removing the bulky conversion components while maintaining positioning capability through direct rotational actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converting rotational motor motion to linear translation (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by allowing the optical element mount to rotate directly. The motor's rotational output is applied directly to the mount without any intermediate conversion, fundamentally reversing the conventional motion transmission sequence.
2Force
If conventional translational movement mechanisms are used to lift optical elements against gravity, then the optical elements can be moved vertically, but the torque requirements increase and slippage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent orients the rotation axis vertically, aligning it with the gravity vector. This allows the optical element mount to rotate in a plane where gravity acts perpendicular to the motion, effectively eliminating the need to lift elements against gravity during modal switching. The system operates in an equipotential configuration where gravitational effects do not create slippage risks in the rotation-translation conversion mechanism.
3Force
If rotation-translation conversion mechanisms are used, then translational motion can be achieved, but the switching speed between imaging modalities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotation-translation conversion mechanism entirely from the system. The optical element mount rotates directly about a vertical axis without any intermediate conversion stages, eliminating the mechanical delays and inertia associated with rack and pinion, screw actuators, or cranks, thereby significantly improving switching speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not converting rotation to translation at all. Instead, the system uses direct rotational actuation of the optical element mount, fundamentally changing the motion paradigm from translation-based to rotation-based, which eliminates the speed-limiting conversion mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical elements are moved using separate translational mechanisms, then each element can be positioned independently, but the overall device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical elements onto a single optical element mount that rotates as one unit about a vertical axis. Instead of providing separate translational mechanisms for each element, the system combines them into a single rotational degree of freedom, reducing mechanism complexity while maintaining the ability to position all elements independently through their respective rotational mounts.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A movement mechanism (110) for an ophthalmic imaging apparatus (100) for imaging an eye (120) using light propagating along a first optical path and a second optical path, the movement mechanism arranged to move a first optical element into and out of the first optical path, and concurrently move a second optical element into and out of the second optical path, the movement mechanism arranged to rotate the optical elements between a first rotational position and a second rotational position such that the first and second optical element are: in the first and second optical path, respectively, when the optical elements are at the first rotational position and the imaging apparatus is operating in a first imaging mode; and out of the first and second optical path, respectively, when the optical elements are at the second rotational position and the imaging apparatus is operating in a second imaging mode.